Ordination celebrations: June 2, 2025

Today we celebrate the ordination anniversaries of:

  • Rev. Carol Breimeier, who celebrates 25 years on June 2.

  • Rev. Roland Harder, who celebrates 59 years on June 2.

  • Rev. Ellis Eskritt, who celebrates 60 years on June 2.

  • Rev. Gary Benson, who celebrates 51 years on June 2.

  • Rev. James Lundeen, who celebrates 60 years on June 2.

  • Rev. Lloyd Wallace, who celebrates 62 years on June 2.

  • Rev. Fred Nelson, who celebrates 25 years on June 2.

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Ordination celebrations: June 1, 2025

Today we celebrate the ordination anniversaries of:

  • Rev. Andrea Cain, Desert Cross, Tempe, who celebrates 17 years on June 1.

  • Rev. Brian Cain, Spirit of Joy, Gilbert, who celebrates 17 years on June 1.

  • Rev. Richard Lawrence, who celebrates 41 years on June 1.

  • Rev. Eugene Perry, who celebrates 67 years on June 1.

  • Rev. Douglas Moffat, who celebrates 51 years on June 1.

  • Deacon Ellen Schnack, who celebrates 34 years on June 1.

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From Minnesota to Virginia: Lutherans Advocate for Housing, Health, and Hope

Across the country, ELCA-affiliated state public policy offices are hard at work advocating for justice-rooted policies in areas like housing, healthcare, hunger, climate, and civic engagement. From Minnesota’s letter-writing campaigns and housing wins, to over 200 disciples gathering for Lutheran Day in Pennsylvania, to Texas Lutherans standing against religious extremism, the spring updates reflect faithful witness in action.

Read the latest state-by-state highlights and explore how you and your congregation can stay involved in policy that reflects our shared Lutheran values. Click here for the full Spring State Policy Update from ELCA Advocacy.

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Pack Bags, Join Prayer, Learn Across Faiths: What’s New from AFN

Start your summer with compassion in action. This month’s Arizona Faith Network newsletter includes invitations to interfaith meditation, events on faith and science, and youth-led climate action in Bolivia. Most urgently, join AFN in packing Bags of Hope for heat-vulnerable neighbors in Tucson and Tempe. Find the full list of programs and RSVP links at arizonafaithnetwork.org/newsletter.

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Obispa Hutterer: Edificar el Cuerpo de Cristo

Al prepararnos para reunirnos en la Asamblea del Sínodo del Gran Cañón de 2025, mi corazón está lleno de gratitud y esperanza. El tema de este año, “Edificar el Cuerpo,” nos recuerda que nuestros ministerios no son esfuerzos aislados, sino que están entretejidos en el diseño más grande de Dios para la iglesia y el mundo. Cada uno de ustedes aporta una voz, un don y una presencia únicos que fortalecen nuestra misión compartida como cuerpo de Cristo.

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For What Shall We Pray?
  • For justice and peace among nations where war and violence rage, especially Ukraine and Russia, Palestine and Israel, Haiti, Sudan, Myanmar, Yemen, India and Pakistan…

  • For victims of gun violence, especially members of the Israeli embassy staff in Washington D.C. and those killed in Waterbury, Connecticut…

  • For the aftermath of the glacier collapse in Blatten, Switzerland…

  • For those in need of affordable and accessible health care and food resources…

  • For immigrants, asylum seekers, and refugees…

  • For international students seeking to pursue their education in the United States…

  • For LGBTQIA+ individuals and communities at the outset of Pride Month…

  • For synods of the ELCA as they gather in their assemblies, that the Spirit would enliven and guide them…

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Bishop Hutterer: Building Up the Body of Christ

As we prepare to gather for the 2025 Grand Canyon Synod Assembly, my heart is full of gratitude and hope. This year’s theme, “Build Up the Body,” reminds us that our ministries are not isolated efforts but woven together in God’s greater design for the church and the world. Each of you brings a unique voice, gift, and presence that strengthens our shared mission as the body of Christ.

We gather in Las Vegas at Community Lutheran Church for our 37th synod assembly. Whether you are attending as a voting member, a ministry partner, or a visitor, you are part of a Spirit-led community that believes God is not done with the church.

Let us be bold and courageous in speaking for justice, compassionate in amplifying voices often unheard, and steadfast in proclaiming God’s grace through actions that heal and reconcile.

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Ashes at the Beach, Communion by Firelight: How Campus Ministry Meets Students Where They Are

On a Southern California beach and around a campus firepit, Concordia College campus pastors David and Kim Adams witnessed the sacred emerge in the ordinary. In this moving reflection, they share stories of student encounters with God—through Ash Wednesday ashes in a parking lot, communion shared under autumn skies, and raw conversations sparked by tragedy and trust. These moments remind us that campus ministry continues to be a vital space for hospitality, spiritual exploration, and hope. Click here to read the full article on Living Lutheran.

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Calling All Youth: Leadership Lab Builds Lifelong Lutheran Leaders

Youth from the Grand Canyon Synod are invited to Leadership Lab 2025, a weeklong Lutheran leadership experience for grades 8 through age 24, held June 23-28 at Augustana College in Rock Island, IL. Rooted in faith and friendship, Leadership Lab helps young people grow as disciples and leaders. Register now at leadershiplab.net.

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Ordination and Installation of Jarrod Iversen

Pending a congregational vote, Vicar Jarrod Iversen will be ordained and installed Saturday, 6/7/2025, at 1pm at Central Lutheran Church, (12921 S. Sunland Gin Road., Arizona City, AZ 85123). Bishop Deborah K. Hutterer will preside. Service will be posted to YouTube afterwards.

Clergy are invited to vest and process. The color of the day is red. Reception will follow, please RSVP to RSVP@centrallutheranaz.org.

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Book Study Amplifies Voices of Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women

Join Region 2 Lutherans on June 5 at 6:30 p.m. MST for a powerful book study on Where They Last Saw Her by Marcie R. Rendon. Hosted by Women of the ELCA, this conversation will focus on how we as church can accompany Indigenous communities and respond to the ongoing crisis of Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Relatives (MMIW). Register now and be part of this faith-rooted call to action.

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